Trilium

What it does

Organises notes into a nested hierarchy built for large personal knowledge bases. A single note can appear in several places at once, and notes can be linked to each other, which keeps things findable as the collection grows past the point where flat folders stop working. Notes live on your own machine, and you can optionally host it on your own server to read them away from your desk. Desktop apps exist for Windows, macOS and Linux; there is no dedicated phone app.

Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.

Screenshots & visuals

Before you start

• Setup difficultyEasy to start
• Command lineNot required
• API keyNot required
• Sends data onlineNo

Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.

Trilium FAQ

Is Trilium free?

Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.

Do I need to install anything or write code to use Trilium?

You install it like a normal desktop app. No command line involved.

Does Trilium work on a phone?

No. It needs a computer.

Can I use Trilium commercially?

The licence is AGPL-3.0. Using it commercially is fine, but if you distribute something built on it you may be required to release that under the same licence. Keep it internal, or check before distributing.

How it compares

The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.

"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.

Other writing & notes tools